Gunfire near Angel Central: two men wounded as police appeal for witnesses

Two men have been wounded in a shooting near Angel Central and the O2 Academy Islington, prompting a police investigation and an appeal for witnesses. One of the men has suffered injuries described as life-changing. The attack happened on Tuesday 27 October, with the latest published accounts setting out the disruption around one of north London’s busiest shopping and live-music areas.

Police were called at about 10.25pm, according to the Metropolitan Police statement reported by The Standard. Officers found two men, aged 33 and 27, with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to hospital. Their injuries were described as not life-threatening, but the older man’s wounds were assessed as life-changing. Those are separate assessments: an injury can have lasting consequences without being considered an immediate threat to life.

What police have said

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads local policing, described the attack as an “incredibly reckless incident”. In the statement carried by The Standard and Metro, he said officers were pursuing those responsible and would increase their presence locally. People with concerns were encouraged to speak to officers. The published police account said no arrests had been made; we have not verified a subsequent arrest announcement.

The investigation is still establishing the circumstances. The reports checked for this article do not provide a confirmed motive or identify a suspect. We are therefore not attributing the attack to a particular group or presenting social-media speculation as evidence. Nor does the description of the area establish that either injured man had attended a concert or visited a particular business.

Witness accounts and disruption around the centre

Metro’s report, updated on Thursday morning, describes witnesses hearing loud bangs and people running from the centre. Its account includes a restaurant worker who said the scene became chaotic. These are recollections reported by Metro, rather than interviews conducted by Energy Radio. They convey the alarm experienced nearby, but should be read separately from the timings and medical information in the police statement.

The same report describes concertgoers being kept inside the O2 Academy temporarily while staff assessed what was happening outside. It also carries a later police statement saying Angel Central remained partially closed during enquiries. Earlier reporting described a wider closure. That change in wording is a reason to check current access directly, rather than assume every shop, restaurant or performance is affected in the same way.

Emergency response and the location

London Ambulance Service said it treated two patients and took both to hospital, according to the emergency-service account reported by London Streets. That report records an ambulance call at 10.26pm and says crews were supported by an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer, Tactical Response Unit paramedics and a London’s Air Ambulance trauma team dispatched by car. It does not mean an air ambulance landed at the shopping centre.

The cordon was reported along Liverpool Road and towards Angel Central. The supplied photographs show police tape at the shopping complex and its service access. They document the response, not the moment of the shooting. The O2 Academy Islington mentioned in these reports is the north London venue; it should not be confused with The O2 arena in Greenwich.

How to help — and what to check before visiting

Anyone with information who has not already spoken to officers is asked to call 101 and quote CAD 7386/27OCT, the reference included in the published police appeal. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you witnessed something, explain what you personally saw or heard and when, distinguishing that from information received from somebody else.

If you are travelling to the area, check with your particular venue or business before setting off and follow any directions at the cordon. A photograph taken during the investigation cannot establish the current status of every entrance. This article reflects the reports checked on Thursday 29 October; it does not announce another shooting today or confirm that all restrictions remain in place.

Reporting on X

The Standard shared its report on X below. This is a newsroom post, not a police appeal. Searches of the Met’s news archive and the relevant police accounts did not locate a standalone public post about this incident at the time of checking; the police statements above are attributed through the published reports.

Sources: Metro, updated 29 October · The Standard police statement report, via AOL · London Streets emergency response report